Media

Bio

Praised as &ldquoexpressive and dynamic” and “vocally splendid”, American baritone Michael Kelly continues to distinguish himself as a consummate artist, sought-after for his riveting interpretations of recital, concert and operatic repertoire.
This season, Mr. Kelly makes his debut with the Houston Symphony and Theatre du Chatelet, as well as performing recitals at New York’s Neue Galerie, The Baryshnikov Arts Center and in Ann Arbor, Michigan. In recent seasons, he was heard at Carnegie Hall, The Kennedy Center, Boston’s Schubert Theater, and at the National Opera Center. He has performed world premiers written for him by Matthew Aucoin, David Del Tredici, Mohammed Fairouz, and Ben Moore. An avid and passionate recital and chamber music interpreter, he can be found on soon-to-be released recordings of Fairouz’s Zabur, Del Tredici’s A Field Manual, and a recording of songs by composer Ben Moore.
Captivating audiences with his “exquisitely self-effacing” artistry, Mr. Kelly is a versatile and innovative vocalist, having performed with many of America’s leading orchestras and opera companies, including: The Cleveland Orchestra, Detroit Symphony, Houston Symphony, Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, The Mostly Mozart Festival, Opernhaus Zurich, Chicago Opera Theater, Gotham Chamber Opera, Mark Morris Dance Group, Boston Early Music Festival and Ars Lyrica. His repertoire ranges from the baroque to modern, leading him to collaborate with some of today’s most exciting composers, including Tom Cipullo, David Del Tredici, Mohammed Fairouz, Ricky Ian Gordon, Libby Larsen, Lowell Lieberman, Ben Moore, Reinaldo Moya, John Musto, and David Sisco. He made his European debut with Opernhaus Zürich in Handel’s Rinaldo with William Christie and has performed in opera, chamber and symphonic works under the batons of such conductors as Herbert Blomstedt, Michael Christie, Andreas Delfs, Jane Glover, Benton Hess, James Levine, Anne Manson, Nicholas McGegan, Steven Osgood, Leonard Slatkin, and Stephen Stubbs. Michael has also collaborated in recital with celebrated pianists Martin Katz, Kathleen Kelly, Malcolm Martineau, Spencer Myer, Jonathan Ware and Brian Zeger.
Mr. Kelly has won prizes in several prominent competitions, including first prizes in 2013’s Poulenc Competition and 2011’s Joy in Singing. He is a graduate of the Eastman School of Music and Juilliard, and was a member of the Opernstudio at Opernhaus Zurich. Michael is also artist director of SongFusion, a recital series based in Manhattan.